DETROIT -- The Twins' efforts to try to spark their offense amid a 10-game losing streak led them to start Chris Colabello at designated hitter Saturday, earning him his second consecutive start since finally making the big leagues.

His path to the Majors was a long one across several Major League organizations. One of them was the Tigers, who signed him out of their tryout camp in 2006.

Colabello, then a 22-year-old first baseman, spent about three weeks in the organization before the Tigers had to make a roster decision. He went back to independent ball with Worcester (Mass.) of the Can-Am League.

He finally got his shot in the upper levels of the Minor Leagues last year, when he drove in 98 runs for Double-A New Britain.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.